Insomnia

By John I. Blair

Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep . . .
No sleep, sleepless,
My eyes wide, on fire.

Yesterday, today and the next
All run together,
Gallop soundlessly, endlessly,
Across my cringing consciousness.

When I was young
It was a treat to stay up late;
Now every night’s an all-nighter.

Old films, PC games,
Icebox gurgles in the dark,
Four a.m. snacks,
Slap of the paper hitting the porch—
I know these far too well,
Part of the hell night is
When I’m trapped there, wide awake.

And the worst is hearing my lover
Snore beside me
And feeling so alone.

When, oh when, will I sleep again?

©2003 John I. Blair